Neil Renfred Croucher
Stephen LearmonthNeil was born on the 4th of June, 1891, at Kiewa in north-east Victoria. He was the seventh of ten children of Henry Joseph and Alice Elizabeth (née Yea) Croucher. During his younger years he attended Mitta Mitta State School. In 1915 Neil married Bridget Doyle. Their son, Harold John Croucher was born in 1915. He was named after Neil’s younger brother Harold, who had died of wounds recieved at Gallipoli earlier in the year. Neil was a blacksmith by trade, having been an apprentice for A. Dobson at Mitta Mitta.
On the first day of August, 1916, Neil walked in to the recruiting depot at Cootamundra in New South Wales. A week prior to this he had undergone his medical examination at Coolamon, a small rural town in the Riverina, 80 kilometres south-west of Cootamundra. His medical report lists five scars on his body, quite possibly obtained when plying his trade as a blacksmith. His passed his medical and was alloted the Regimental Number 2890 and placed in the 7th Reinforcements for the 45th Infantry Battalion of the 4th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division.
After their initial training, the 7th Reinforcements embarked on the SS Port Nicholson at Sydney on the 8th of November, 1916. The troops disembarked at Devenport, near Plymouth, in southern England, on the 10th of January, 1917. The reinforcements immediately marched in to the 12th Training Battalion at No. 4 Command Depot near Codford in Wiltshire. Following approximately eight weeks further training, the reinforcements proceeded overseas to France. After four days at the 4th Australian Divisions Base Depot at Etaples, they were taken on strength with the 45th Battalion.
In early April, the battalion moved to the outskirts of Bapaume. On the 4th of April Neil was admitted to the 4th Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to his left upper-arm. After a short period of time in the 9th General Hospital and the 2nd Convalsecent Depot Neil returned to his unit on the 25th of April.
At 0310 hours on the 7th of June, 1917, nineteen powerful mines were exploded under the German trenches along the Wytschaete - Messines Ridge. These caused an estimated 10000 German casualties. The forthcoming battle would be the first large-scale action involving Australian troops in Belgium. For the 3rd Australian Division, under Major-General John Monash, it was their first battle. The 4th Australian Division, of which the 45th Infantry Battalion was a part, made up a follow-up attack later in the day. Neil was wounded during the day’s action. He was taken to the 13th General Hospital at Boulogne.
His Red Cross File indicates the severity of his wounds.
“Pte. N. R. Croucher was admitted on 11.6.17 with severe gunshot would of right arm, both thighs, compound fracture of right leg and gas gangrene in both legs. He died at 3.p.m. on 13.6.17 and was buried in Boulogne Military Cemetery on 15.6.17. His personal affects have been forwarded to D A.G. 3/Echelon and will reach his next of kin in due course.
Letter from - No. 13 General Hospital.
Boulogne. 8.7.17.”
He was buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery with the service being conducted by Rev. J. Woodwell.
Neil is remembered on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kergunyah Great European War Roll of Honour, the Upper Gundowring State School No. 2733 Roll of Honour, the Yackandandah Holy Trinity Anglican Church and the Yackandandah Memorial Gates. For his service during the First World War, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
